The Center for Leadership Innovation and Mentorship Building at California State University, San Marcos holds "In the Executive's Chair," a course where students hear from business leaders in an extensive panel discussion and Q&A session. The Daily Transcript has partnered with CSUSM to cover these discussions in print and online.

If the golf industry were an economic indicator, analysts would have a reason to celebrate. But Mike King, the chief executive of Carlsbad-based TaylorMade, said he isn’t hailing the end of the recession just yet.

Leadership in hard times is more difficult because of the continual stream of bad news, Cal State San Marcos President Karen Haynes told students Tuesday during the “In the Executive’s Chair” class. Leaders are forced to communicate messages that most people are unhappy about, Haynes said.

It’s not uncommon for college seniors to not have a plan after graduation day. The classes of 2009 and 2010, in particular, are expected to have a difficult time finding work as the economy has soured and most companies are not hiring.

Over the course of his business career, Bill Lofft has learned from whom to accept advice, how to build a company culture and how business people choose to travel. Such lessons have been useful in establishing Zuum Craft, a North County start-up that offers innovative short-range electric scooters.

Bill Hixon's varied background gave him the necessary tools to begin his new entrepreneurial endeavor: a yet-to-be-named company that will create a computer program to help students learn math at their own pace.

It’s not always easy being the only man in a house with a half-dozen women, but Scripps Green Hospital Chief Executive Robin Brown told California State University, San Marcos students that the experience has taught him a lot about communication and empathy.

In 1976, Phil Blair was expecting his first child and his best friend, Mel Katz, was engaged and going to be married in a few months. Both Blair’s wife and Katz’s fiancé expected to stay in Phoenix, where their men worked as fashion buyers for a local department store.

One of the most recognizable brands in the action sports industry began in 1997 with $50,000, a business plan and an idea to showcase a product the surf/skate/snow industry hadn’t really focused on before: watches.

It was never a part of Gerry Krippner’s plan to take over the family business, but 25 years after graduating with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, he sat in front of a group of California State University, San Marcos students to discuss what it is like to be the CEO of a company founded by his father and co-owned by his brothers.

George Hage, the chief executive officer of the security company HiTron, said that in the next few years, people should get used to being on camera a lot more often, and he wasn’t making a reference to YouTube.

A professional motorcycle racer and investment banker on Wall Street, President of BikeBandit.com Ken Wahlster said his financial experience helped him be successful more than his time in the Grand Prix.

Greg Koch brews and sells beer. He doesn’t advertise though -- and he doesn’t care if you don’t like his beer. He knows that only 3 percent of the world likes specialty beer, and he wants that 3 percent to enjoy his brews at Stone Brewing Co.

While educational and life experiences are most often applied to career development, panelists at California State University, San Marcos on Wednesday showed there is a specific correlation between military knowledge and business leadership.

David Hale is known as either a serial entrepreneur or, to some, as the “Godfather of biotech” due to his history of founding and developing more than 15 biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies in San Diego County.

California State University, San Marcos, students recently gained insight into a company’s upcoming merger, learned about different company cultures and ethical dilemmas encountered from a senior-level executive.